Robbery suspects captured following pursuit

Sunday, January 9, 2005

MINER - An attempt to ram a Miner Police car began a pursuit that would take law enforcement officials on a chase through three counties.

At approximately 10:18 p.m. Friday the Miner Police Department initiated a pursuit northbound along Interstate 55 after a vehicle attempted to ram a Miner police car during a routine traffic stop. During the pursuit, Sikeston Department of Public Safety authorities advised the Miner Police Department of a possible suspect match to a previous armed robbery at a local movie retailer.

The pursuit continued northbound through Scott County on Interstate 55 and was joined by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. South of Cape Girardeau at the 90-mile marker, officers attempted to deploy tire deflation devices however the suspect vehicle avoided the devices and continued northbound. The car avoided a second tire deflation device at the 99-mile marker due to uninvolved traffic.

Once the vehicle entered Perry County, the Perry County Sheriff's Department successfully deflated a tire on the suspect's vehicle at the 124-mile marker of I-55. The vehicle continued northbound on the shredded tire and attempted to exit the interstate at Perryville exit 129.

The vehicle maneuvered around Perryville police cars attempting to roadblock the exit ramp, and proceeded northbound on Highway 51 until stopping at the parking lot of a nearby convenience store.

Once the vehicle was stopped officers approached and gave the three occupants, two males and one female, commands that were initially ignored. Officers approached the vehicle with weapons drawn removing the occupants from the vehicle.

During the attempt to remove the driver and place him on the ground for handcuffing, Quincy L. Russell, 31, St. Louis received a wound from the accidental discharge of a trooper's duty weapon. The injuries to Russell's lower forearm were not readily detected until a short time later and the subject was transported by Patrol vehicle to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The full extent of Russell's injuries is unknown at this time.

Upon further investigation of the scene, officers later found a loaded Ruger P-85 semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle.

Records indicate Russell had a felony probation and parole warrant for his arrest at the time of the incident and formal charges are currently being sought from area prosecutors.

Charges for the two occupants are being considered upon further investigation of the incident, the Highway Patrol reported.

The pursuit was initiated by the Miner Police Department and was assisted by the Scott County Sheriff's Department, Cape County Sheriff's Department, Cape Girardeau Police Department, Perry County Sheriff's Department, Perryville Police Department, and Troops E and C of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control responded to the scene. The investigation is continuing.